Electrical Industry

The safe and economical distribution of electrical energy is a constant challenge, which is why the vast majority of electrical applications call for copper.

Copper has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals with the exception of silver, and also has excellent corrosion resistance, strength, ductility and good workability, to mention just a few of the properties that copper and copper alloys offer. Use the following interactive presentation to discover the possible uses of KME semi-finished copper products in the electrical industry.

HIGH AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE

COPPER STRIPS FOR TRANSFORMERS AND OTHER USES

Due to its unique conductivity properties, KME's Cu-ETP copper rolled products are extensively used in the electrical industry for circuit breakers, switches as well as various electrical components used in the high voltage segment. Special mention should be given to copper strips used in electrical transformers. The enormous amount of electrical energy required by today's society dictates that it be produced in large quantities by electric companies and be transported hundreds of kilometres before reaching the consumer. The transport of energy over long distances requires it to be transformed by increasing the voltage to avoid the risk of overheating. Before it can be safely used by the consumer, the electrical voltage must be lowered. All these variations can be done using transformers. KME is one of the major suppliers of ETP-Copper strips to be used in the construction of electrical transformers. The carefully deburred or rounded edges are the special finishings of this semi-finished product, which is ideal for use in the assembly of electrical coils inside large transformers

COPPER RODS, PROFILES AND SPECIAL SECTIONSMedium and high voltage systems also use KME copper rods and special profiles for switches and other specialised uses. Customised products can also be made according to the customer's specific design.

BUS TUBES FOR HIGH CURRENT AND HIGH VOLTAGE ENGINEERINGKME manufactures large diameter seamless copper tubes (O.D. up to 450 mm, thickness up to 40 mm), for the energy transfer, generators and transformers.

TECTUBE® PowerThe KME copper tubes from the TECTUBE® Power line are used to form cable terminals in distribution systems.

LOW VOLTAGE

ROLLED PRODUCTS The electrical systems in our homes and offices are composed mainly of components made of copper and copper-based alloys like brass and bronze. The circuit breakers in every electric panel, which cut off the supply of energy in case of an overload or a short circuit, are made with copper strips. Switches, plugs, incandescent lamps caps and various types of electrical contacts are generally made with copper, brass and bronze strips supplied by KME also with special surface finishes such as tin, nickel or silver plating or even double thickness.

BRASS RODS, WIRES AND SECTIONS ]KME supplies brass wires and sections to the electrical industry for the manufacturing of plugs, switches, battery terminals, fluorescent lights and power supply units. .

SPECIAL COPPER PROFILES KME's manufacturing range also includes brand-name products like ProCu® pure copper profiles for special applications. These are special profiles and hollow conductors that can even be made to order. They have excellent electrical conductivity, which make them one of the most ideal materials for the transport of energy. They are used for different applications like switches, high-vacuum switches (used with vacuum pumps), circuit elements and fuses in electrical equipment.

SPECIAL PROFILES AND ELEMENTS MADE OF OSNA-Cu58® ALLOY a low-alloyed copper material based on oxygen-free copper with the addition of tellurium or sulphur. These are special elements and profiles made by KME that are used in a wide range of electrical applications, such as bases for diodes and thyristors, small parts used in electrical contacts, plugs, erosion electrodes.

TECTUBE®_power KME produces the TECTUBE®_power copper tube for electric boilers, which is used both as an electrical conductor and as a heating element.

ELECTRICITY AND SAFETY

FIRE-RESISTANT ELECTRICAL CABLES Safety is the top priority in the designing of electrical installations. Protecting people from danger is important as is the reliability of electric cables in problematic areas, in extreme conditions and in case of fire. Electricity can save lives by keeping the key functions of fire protection systems, alarm systems and communication equipment working at all times.

To ensure the reliability of electric cables, KME developed MICO® mineral insulated cable which meets the highest safety requirements for electrical installations and works reliably at temperatures of up to 1000°C. Cable fires are prevented as well as any damage caused by water coming out of fire extinguishing systems and any development of smoke or toxic gases

SPRINKLERS Many of today's fire extinguishing systems use automatic sprinkler type systems installed on the ceiling of the rooms which detect the presence of a fire and help extinguish it by immediately spraying water on it. Such important elements, which must function perfectly in critical situations, require a quality material that can maintain its properties over time. KME hot stamped copper tubes and brass rods meet these requirements and are respectively adapted for piping from the collector to the sprinkler nozzles and the safety valves on fire extinguishing systems.